In 2013, Living Archaeology Weekend turned 25!
It began in 1989, when collaborators from the US Forest Service, Red River Historical Society, and others organized a public education event focused on archaeology and past American Indian technology. About 200 visitors gathered in one of the Gorge's famous rockshelters (pictured below) to learn about flint knapping, pottery making, cooking, and site preservation. Twenty-five years later, Living Archaeology Weekend is Kentucky's oldest and largest public archaeology event.
Today Living Archaeology Weekend welcomes 1,500-2,500 visitors over the two-day event. Over the years, LAW has served over 35,000 students, teachers, families, tourists, civic groups, and youth groups from around the world. With the development of 50 event-related educational resources since 2007, LAW is reaching an even larger audience -- before, during, and after the event.
In honor of LAW's silver anniversary in 2013, special events were held on Friday, September 20. A 25th Anniversary Celebration welcomed special guests on-site at Gladie. A LAW Homecoming for past and present demonstrators, volunteers, and sponsors was held in the evening.